How to Water and Fertilize Roses: A Complete Guide to the Correct Method
The rose is a famous flower variety, and it is found in many parts of our country. Nowadays many people choose to grow roses, mainly because they have extremely high ornamental value. However, when many people grow them, improper fertilization and watering methods lead to some problems, so mastering fertilization and watering techniques is crucial.
How to Water Roses
Spring is the season when roses sprout and grow branches, and the water supply is very important. In March, when new leaves emerge, water once every 2 days, in the morning; in April, as flower buds gradually form, water once a day; in May, when they enter the flowering period, water twice a day, generally once at around 8 a.m., and once at around 4 p.m., supplementing water as appropriate according to how dry or moist the potting soil is. In other seasons, water according to the principle of “don't water if it's not dry, and water thoroughly when you do”; when the weather is hot in summer, you can spray water appropriately to lower the temperature.
How to Fertilize Roses
Roses should be fertilized with thin fertilizer applied frequently. Before they sprout in spring, fertilize once, using decomposed human manure, bean cake, etc. When the buds are about to open, apply an additional round of diluted liquid fertilizer. After the flowers fade in summer, apply one round of decomposed liquid fertilizer to promote flowering in autumn. In winter, apply a small amount of organic fertilizer at the roots to strengthen the plant's disease resistance.
How to Prune Roses During Their Dormant Period
1. Roses should also be pruned during their dormant period. Pruning is generally done around the Spring Festival, cutting off diseased and pest-infested branches, dead branches, overlapping branches and crossing branches from the rose plant.
2. During this time, the roses also need to be pruned back; weaker-growing roses should be heavily pruned, generally cutting away two-thirds of the branches. For roses in better condition, prune only lightly, cutting away part of the branches and leaves.
3. Pruning potted roses is different. If the rose plant is relatively small, it is best not to prune it; for slightly larger rose plants, cut them back appropriately according to the plant's height.
4. If the roses overwinter in the open ground, note that they are generally not pruned, to prevent the roses from freezing and being damaged in winter; just wait until spring to prune them.
What to Do When Rose Leaves Turn Yellow
1. Improper watering. The plant needs to be taken out of its pot and placed in a ventilated, shady spot, and once the soil ball has dried it can be put back into the flowerpot. There is a difference between yellowing from too little water and from too much water: yellowing from too little water shows as the leaf tips or edges drying out and withering, with old leaves turning yellow from the bottom upward and dropping off, while new leaves grow relatively normally. When watering, pay attention to “don't water if it's not dry”, and water thoroughly to ensure sufficient moisture.
2. Improper fertilizing. In the early growth stage, it is best to apply diluted fertilizer frequently, mainly using compound fertilizer, applied by the hole method or by watering it on. Absolutely avoid applying undecomposed organic fertilizer and large doses of chemical fertilizer; these two kinds of fertilizer will burn the root system and cause the plant to wilt and die.
3. Viral yellowing of leaves. Solutions such as Virus-Ke and Ke-Du-Lu can be sprayed, but comprehensive care and management should be the main approach; robust plants will have stronger resistance.
4. Improper repotting or soil changing. Although repotting and changing the soil sounds simple, it is not easy to achieve close contact between the root system and the soil; you can use a thin wooden stick or similar to help firm it down or gently tamp it. For the base fertilizer, choose decomposed fertilizer and keep it as far from the roots as possible, avoiding direct contact with the roots. After repotting, water thoroughly immediately, keep it in a shady spot for care, water a second time when the potting soil is slightly dry, and thereafter also follow the watering principle of “don't water if it's not dry.“ After repotting, no fertilizing is needed for a short period; wait at least three weeks before fertilizing. As for the soil used, if the soil contains lime powder or is too acidic, this can likewise cause leaves to turn yellow.
When watering roses, be sure to pay attention to the amount; it must not be too much. When fertilizing and watering, pay attention to the timing. Besides fertilizer and water, roses also need pruning to ensure their growth. If yellowing of the leaves occurs in roses, you can observe the cause and then solve the problem at its root.